Page 76 of Of Daggers and Deceit

If only they all knew he let them take that Omega. It was his failure as our leader. But now was not the time or place for those kinds of secrets to surface, not when they were so heavily intertwined with darker ones of mine.

Murderer.

Loud roars erupted from the crowd. I slinked down further, nestling my body behind Bohdi’s broad shoulder, not wanting to draw attention to myself.

“But that is not why I asked you here today.” Zander used his hands to signify the crowd to hush again, his face becoming crestfallen. My stomach pinched.

“Unfortunately, a Benefactor has gone missing.” I stopped breathing then, not daring to cast a single glance towards Riley, though I craved it. What did she look like in this moment? Did she feel as terrified as I did?

Murmurs moved through the crowd, and I allowed myself to cast a quick, nervous glance at Riley, who didn’t falter in her expression.

“As you are aware, the work and donations of our Benefactors are integral to the foundation of our society, and the ripple effect of Benefactor Trey’s absence is sure to be felt throughout the rings of this city. A Benefactor missing for a night is not uncommon, but a Benefactor missing for a few days is.”

Nobody in the crowd spoke as they continued to stare at Zander, and beyond him, towards the guards, who were busy sifting through the faces in the crowd. They were searching for guilt, so I forced my face to slacken fractionally.

“We have evidence to believe that the culprit is amongst us.” His expression hardened. “We ask anyone who may have information regarding the criminal in our midst to please come forward. We endeavour to find the culprit and purge the Haven of their treachery as quickly as we can. In the meantime, you would do well to ensure your doors are locked at night and to not venture out unnecessarily.”

The crowd was now silent, though unease was almost tangible in the air around us. Zander’s surveying landed back on me, though this time, he held it.

“There is a potential murderer in our midst,” he finished, much softer than before, though it was laced with warning. Not the kind that was worried for his citizens, but the kind that promised an innocent’s inevitable death. I exhaled slowly as I felt Bodhi wrap his arms tighter around me, obviously noticing that Zander was watching me.

Then, our leader smiled, quick and lethal. “I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe day!”

With that, he pivoted and marched off the podium, down the stairs towards his ivory tower, Riley hurrying to follow along behind him.

Everything about the moment was jarring.

The crowd hung around in place for a few short minutes, the abruptness of his address like a slap to the face. I looked around, and worry gripped me tightly as I saw residents process the dual threat of a potential criminal and the likelihood of an execution.

A guard barked out to the crowd with a flick of his hands. “Move out!”

Everyone around us grabbed their loved ones and scurried away in a hurry. With Bohdi’s hand still in mine, we followed the group back to the compound, leaving my mum to walk in the other direction, only a quick squeeze on my arm in acknowledgement. I was sick, so very sick, and I still had an afternoon of training to get through. I just had to pretend for a little bit longer.

No one spoke for the entire walk back to the compound, and everyone chose to filter into their own rooms and close the doors for a moment’s reprieve. The threat was very real for the Alphas, a target already fastened to their backs. They were needed, but not enough, and I feared the days coming next. Because I knew he knew.

It was for that reason I knew leaving the Haven was right.

RAYA

Bodhi’s tongue dipped into my mouth as he kissed me, interrupting my weapons check for the night. I gripped the back of his head, melting into his touch, knowing it would be the last for a week.

Only a week.

But it felt like it would be much longer than that; perhaps it would be once he realised I was gone. I was lying, again, but this was not by choice. I trusted my mum, and I knew it was for the best, but I hated lying to him.

It was why, in the past few days since Zander had given his address, I’d been clingier than normal, relishing every kiss, every hug. I’d spent all my spare time with him outside of training, which was so little these days.

He smiled as he licked over my mouth, and I swiped it away with mock disgust.

Bitterness swept in quickly after that, forcing my gaze to the floor before his hand crept under my chin.

“One more week, and we are done for the year. Then it will be just us, free again for another year.”

He pulled me in against his chest, and I wrapped my arms around him, breathing in that comforting scent of his. This was a goodbye for now.

I desperately wanted to tell him everything, but instead, I bit my tongue, just as my mum had asked. Because Bodhi didn’t approve, we needed more time than a single week to figure out how we would take him with us when he was so opposed to it.

Either way, our relationship would fracture in some way after this, and I hated it.

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